Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan directs APPCB to initiate action against Andhra Paper Limited for ‘polluting’ Godavari river

Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan on Friday directed the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) to initiate action as per the existing guidelines against the Andhra Paper Limited (APL) for allegedly ignoring the board’s directive to prevent pollution of the Godavari river in Rajamahendravaram.

In his post addressed to the APL on X on Friday, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said, “For your violations cited during my previous visit (June), strict action can be taken in accordance with the Pollution Control Board regulations. Operations in the industry can be stopped and penalties can be imposed. The company can even be seized and the licence can be cancelled with immediate effect. Nevertheless, a show-cause notice was served to rectify mistakes with the intention of not troubling the industries.”

On May 25, the APPCB authorities, led by Mr. Pawan Kalyan, had collected water samples from two locations— the lagoon through which the APL releases the effluents.

Mr. Pawan Kalyan alleged that the APL did not respond to the multiple discussions by the APPCB on prevention of pollution in the river since June.

“The official statistics confirm that half of the pollution in Rajamahendravaram city comes from the APL, which alone produces 35 million litres of waste containing pollutants exceeding the limits, while entire Rajamahendravaram city produces about 75 million litres of liquid waste per day,” said Mr. Pawan Kalyan.

In the lagoons, where the APL releases waste, there were 36 milligrams of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) per litre of water, which is 20% higher than the prescribed standards. Phosphate is 5.3 milligrams, which was 6% higher. The pollution caused by the APL was posing a threat to aquatic life in the Godavari river,” said Mr. Pawan Kalyan.

“The river’s natural ecosystem is under severe threat, apart from harming public health with reduced water quality and making survival of future generations questionable,” he observed.

Referring to the alleged evasion of taxes by the APL, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said, “Since 2016, you (APL) did not pay ₹21.34 crore tax either to Katheru Gram Panchayat or Rajamahemdravaram Municipal Corporation, escaping by moving to court.”

Mr. Pawan Kalyan sought support from environmentalists and civil society for the measures to be taken by the government under the initiative of ‘Swatchha Godavari - Sacred Pushkarams‘ to prevent pollution of the Godavari river.